Just This Once, Contemporary Romance (Last Frontier Lodge #3) by J.H. Croix Page A

rolled his shoulders and leaned back in his chair. “You know Lloyd. He’s matter of fact about it. Said it comes with the territory. For now, Morris is only succeeding at getting himself in more trouble.”
    Their conversation moved on to lighter matters. Becca’s tension eased from her busy day between the cup of coffee and Aidan’s company. She’d never allowed herself to think much about the spark of attraction with Aidan. Because it was too uncomfortable and bumped up against the defenses she’d built around her heart. Sitting with him in her office, chatting casually about her day was…nice. Regardless of the disconcerting sizzle he set to life inside of her, Aidan was easy to be around. She could see why he was such a good friend of Gage’s. He was smart, observant, funny and engaging with that ever-present, protective quality.
    Her chin resting in her hand, she bantered with him about sports and politics. She spun her coffee cup in her hand and took the last swallow before standing. “This coffee helped, but I’ve got to head out and scrounge up some dinner before I pass out. I haven’t eaten since first thing this morning.”
    He pushed his chair back and stood. “How about we grab a bite next door at the Thai place? I could use some dinner myself.”
    Becca found herself nodding before she could think. Her brain, the well-trained snarky part of her brain, started to howl its disagreement. She batted the voice back. Because maybe she wasn’t ever going to let a man into her heart again, but she didn’t have to be cranky and refuse to have a nice dinner with a friend. The very friend she’d decided would be the man to erase the memory of Kyle as her last lover. She might be crazy, but it might be fun. What was she getting out of keeping herself at a distance from everyone? Aside from get-togethers with her family and a few close friends, she spent most evenings and weekends on her own. While she was an independent sort, she used to be more social. Dinner with Aidan could be a good thing. Maybe she could find a way to wash her desire out of her system for once and for all, and just be friends after that.

Chapter 7

    Becca could hardly keep her eyes off of Aidan as he walked across the restaurant toward her. He’d stepped away from the table to greet a business associate. Thus far, she’d managed to keep her body under control and actually enjoyed dinner. Aside from the fact that she was starving and she loved Thai food, Aidan was plain good company. A few moments ago when he stood to walk away, her eyes tracked the flex of his shoulders under his shirt. Just like that, the embers inside flashed into flame.
    He simply kept walking. He’d removed his suit jacket and tie sometime during dinner. As he sat across from her, she ached to flick her fingers under the buttons of his shirt, just a few more, so she could see the planes of his chest that she’d only felt in the darkness the two times they’d kissed. His eyes caught hers and the air snapped and crackled between them. At that moment, their waitress passed by and quickly cleared the table, leaving the check before she walked away.
    Aidan arched a brow. “Need a ride home?”
    She started to shake her head and then made an abrupt decision. If she kept thinking, she’d lose her chance. She might as well face her desire head on. Maybe then, this wild burning he set loose inside of her would be contained. She nodded. “It’s either that, or a cab. You said my car won’t be ready until the end of the week, right?”
    He nodded. “That’s what they said. I asked them to get it taken care of as quick as they could, but they said the parts can only get there so fast.”
    “Right. I suppose you’ve got it all worked out to pick it up for me?” She couldn’t help but tease.
    His eyes crinkled with his wry smile. “Of course. Same thing I’d do for any friend.”
      She chuckled and shook her head. She couldn’t help but appreciate his thorough